Chapter 53: A Sudden Illness
Chapter 53: A Sudden Illness
In the morning, while the children were still asleep, Doctor Liu instinctively reached out to feel Su Su's forehead, only to be startled by the heat.
Puzzled, he thought back to the previous day. Her diet had been normal, and she hadn't caught a chill from the wind.
In the afternoon, he had kept an eye on her while she soaked up the sun, ensuring she was adequately clothed to prevent catching a chill.
"How did she suddenly develop a fever?" Doctor Liu wondered, his confusion turning to suspicion as he questioned the medicine he had prepared.
However, upon further reflection, he realized that the medicine was intended to be warming and nourishing, not overly heating. It shouldn't have caused this... Could there be another reason?
The system was equally perplexed.
The night before, it was Su Su's turn to hear a bedtime story, but after a brief chat, she had fallen asleep.
"Everything seemed normal," the system thought, baffled by the unexpected turn of events.
Both the system and Doctor Liu were at a loss.
However, their confusion was secondary to the task at hand—preparing medicine, treating the illness, and informing Prince Qing. It seemed they wouldn't be able to set off today as planned.
It wasn't wise to travel with a sick child, especially one with a fever. It would be better to stay in the city, where they had access to better conditions and medical facilities.
Otherwise, they would be stranded in the wilderness, and any necessary supplies would require a swift horse to procure.
When Doctor Liu felt Su Su's pulse, he found it to be a typical case of catching a chill and developing a fever. His confusion only deepened.
Despite his bewilderment, he efficiently instructed Di Jiao to prepare the medicine, sending him to the town's medical hall or pharmacy if any ingredients were missing.
Di Yu didn't waste any time either and immediately set about helping to physically lower Su Su's temperature.
Feng Xuanrui had gone to bed early the previous night and was full of energy when he woke up.
However, he soon discovered that his sister was unwell.
Her little face was flushed red, and she seemed dazed.
Usually, when he called out to her, she would respond obediently.
But today, after calling her name twice, all he received in reply was a weak, kitten-like whisper: "Brother..."
The soft, pitiful sound tore at Feng Xuanrui's heart.
He was so worried that he forgot to finish dressing and just kept pacing in circles on the spot.
Qing Shan quickly came to his aid, helping him put on his clothes.
After making the necessary arrangements, Doctor Liu set out to find Prince Qing.
The prince and his entourage had already packed and were ready to depart, awaiting only for the two children to finish their morning meal.
Hearing Doctor Liu's words, Prince Qing furrowed his brows in confusion and surprise. "She seemed fine yesterday. What happened?"
As he spoke, the prince strode toward Su Su's room to assess the situation himself.
Doctor Liu shared his bewilderment. "I know. She didn't catch a chill from the wind, and she didn't even bathe yesterday. I oversaw her meals, and with the bad weather, Qing Shan and his brother didn't go out to buy snacks. How did she end up with a fever?"
"And from her pulse, it doesn't seem like it's a fever caused by indigestion either."
"It's just a regular fever from catching a chill."
...
A child's body was indeed a mystery.
Doctor Liu felt that his medical knowledge still had many gaps, and there was much he needed to research and understand.
One must never become complacent!
Otherwise, even such a simple illness would leave him perplexed!
As Prince Qing approached, Su Su woke up.
Her little face was flushed, and she looked listless.
At Su Su's age, children couldn't pretend to be sick.
When they were unwell, their lack of energy was immediately apparent.
Seeing the little girl looking so dejected, Prince Qing felt a tug on his heartstrings.
He turned to Doctor Liu and asked, "Have you prepared the medicine?"
Doctor Liu, already at Su Su's side checking her pulse again, replied promptly, "Yes, it's being prepared as we speak."
With Su Su's illness, they would have to delay their departure for at least a day or two.
Prince Qing didn't mind this slight change of plans.
Important criminals and suspects had already been apprehended and sent back to the capital ahead of time.
With Feng Xuanrui in tow, His Majesty would surely understand if he was delayed for a few days.
If this were a military campaign, not a moment could be wasted.
However, as it didn't affect their main agenda, Prince Qing naturally didn't mind the slight delay.
He turned and instructed everyone to pack up their things and wait until the children recovered before departing.
Su Su woke up feeling weak and listless. Doctor Liu gently coaxed her to drink some porridge, speaking to her in a soft and soothing tone.
When children fall ill, they often lose their appetite.
Even though Doctor Liu was being exceptionally gentle and comforting, and even though Su Su had never received such tender care when she was sick in the past, she still couldn't bring herself to eat.
The porridge felt like it was coming right back up as soon as it went down her throat.
Her head felt hot and heavy, and her body burned with an acidic soreness.
Su Su couldn't help but shed tears as she forced herself to swallow the porridge.
Seeing his sister's struggle, Feng Xuanrui couldn't hold back his own tears. "Sister, let's not eat anymore, please."
Doctor Liu's heart went out to them, but he knew what had to be done. "We must. She needs to eat something, or the medicine will upset her stomach even more."
The medicine Doctor Liu prepared for children was always mild and gentle.
However, it could still be a bit stimulating.
When children fell ill, their digestive systems became especially fragile, and even the slightest stimulation could make Su Su feel worse.
Hence, it was important for her to eat something to reduce the impact of the medicine on an empty stomach.
Hearing Doctor Liu's insistence, Feng Xuanrui wiped away his tears and took the porridge bowl from him. His voice was choked with emotion as he said, "I'll feed my sister."
Su Su, cradled in Qing Shui's arms, was already lacking in energy, her eyelids drooping with exhaustion.
But when she heard her brother's offer, she mustered up her strength and nodded obediently. "Okay, I want brother to feed me."
Feng Xuanrui: Boo hoo!
My sister is too adorable!
And so pitiful!
The two children cried as one, one crying while feeding, the other crying while eating.
Doctor Liu watched them, his own eyes stinging with tears.
Su Su could only manage a few mouthfuls before she truly couldn't take another bite. Understanding her struggle, Doctor Liu didn't force her anymore.
Once the medicine was ready, he coaxed and cajoled her into taking it.
However, when it came to giving her the medicine, Feng Xuanrui adamantly refused.
"No! I can't feed my sister medicine! I'm a good brother!"
"In my sister's heart, I can't be the bad guy who forces her to take medicine!"
......
Doctor Liu: ?
So I'm the bad guy now?
Doctor Liu couldn't help but laugh at the irony of the situation. Eventually, he had no choice but to step in and comfort Su Su himself.
Su Su was willing to listen to Doctor Liu, whom she affectionately called "Grandpa Liu."
Moreover, she understood that taking the medicine would help her get better faster.
Even though the medicine had an unpleasant smell and a bitter taste, Su Su gritted her teeth and drank it all.
After taking the medicine, Qing Shui fed Su Su some honeyed dried fruit that had been prepared earlier.
Seeing the honeyed treat, Su Su thought of her brother.
Mustering her courage, she took an extra piece from the plate and offered it to Feng Xuanrui, whose nose was red from crying. "Brother, have some too."
Feng Xuanrui: Boo hoo hoo hoo!
He wanted to cry even more!
How could his sister be so thoughtful and kind?
In that moment, he even cried out a bubble of snot.
The atmosphere turned momentarily awkward.
Qing Shui quickly stepped in and handed Feng Xuanrui a handkerchief, silently helping him wipe his nose.
Feng Xuanrui: ...!
Maybe he should be the one falling sick!
(End of Chapter)
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